The data come from 541 survey respondents from 48 states, questioned by AASA earlier this summer.

The professional development cuts come at a critical time for K-12 education, as states and districts across the country are implementing the common standards and preparing for new tests aligned to those tougher standards. All told, the cuts amount to about 5 percent of federal education funds.

The survey also predicts that more long-term damage from sequestration could result. One example, per the report, from a respondent in Virgina: "The largest impact in our state was the Head Start Program, which was fortunately mitigated by an increase in state funds. If not for the state funding increase, we would have been required to cut one teacher and one aide, which would have resulted in the loss of 17 slots for low‐income children. Crisis averted—for this year. However, we will NOT have any such 'fall back' opportunities in the future."

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